Pak doesn't want 'half baked' case against Saeed: Qureshi

PTISep 27, 2009, 02.50pm IST

NEW YORK: Pakistan does not want to take to court a "half-baked" case against JuD chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed, blamed by India for masterminding Mumbai attacks, and needs "legally tenable" evidence against him, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said today hours ahead of crucial talks with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna.

"We will certainly not hesitate for taking action (against Saeed), but we got to have a case which is legally tenable because if we take a case into court which is a half-baked case and if the court sets him free, you'll say 'collusion', 'drama'. No we are not in a mood to collude with terrorists," Qureshi told a news channel.

He was responding to a question about Pakistan not taking action against Saeed, also founder of the LeT, despite being provided with evidence by India against him.

When pointed out that Saeed has not been arrested though two FIRs were filed against him for inciting people to wage 'jehad' and seeking donations for the same, Qureshi said: "That's for us to decide and that's for the legal process in Pakistan to decide.

"There are procedures that you have to follow. We have a very independent judiciary. Thank God for that. You know how cumbersome legal procedures are but we will not be soft on anyone who wants to move out of line of government policy."